Mechanism for building submerged structures



Feb. 6, 1934. c. B. cHmsTlANsr-:N 1,946,389

MECHANISM FOR BUILDING SUBMERGED STRUCTURES Filed June 20. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l 8-H 4 3 jl-L a E *l j /N VENTO/e Fe 6, 1934 c. B. cHRlsTlANsEN MECHANISM FOR BUILDING SUBMERGED STRUCTURES Filed June 2o, 1952l s sheets-sheet 2 319.2.

Feb. 6, 1934. c. B. cHRlsTlANsEN 1,946,389

MECHANISM FOR BUILDING SUBMERGED STRUCTURES Filed June 20, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n/WW* n ATT RNEYS,

Patented Feb, 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE IVIECHANISM FOR BUILDING SUBMERGED' STRUCTURES Christian B. Christiansen,

Brooklyn, N. Y.,

assignor to Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application June 20, 1932. Serial No. 6l8,218

19 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanism for the fastening of members to parts which are submerged or under water, and is designed more particularly for use in the building of supporting structures for under-Water pipe lines. In the building of such supporting structures of certain type, two rows of piles are sunk, and crosswiseextending cap beams are fastened on the upper ends of the opposing piles of the rows by means of nails or spikes passing downwardly through the ends of the cap beams and driven into the upper ends of the piles, thereby forming a series of horizontal cradles or supports on which the pipe sections, connected end to end, rest.

The present invention consists of mechanism which may be lowered into the water and operated to fasten the cross beams to the piles in speedy, uniform and eiiective manner, and the said mechanism consists of a suitable portable frame having means thereon for attaching temporarily to it, the member which is to be fastened under water, which frame is adapted to be lowered with the attached member into the water to position said member in operative relation to the submerged parts to which it is to be fastened, and said frame also having thereon a member fastening mechanism, which, when the member is thus positioned by the lowering of the portable frame, may be operated to fasten the member to the submerged parts, whereupon the means temporarily attaching the member to the frame may be released, the portable frame may be raised to the surface of the water and used for another and similar operation.

In the more specic aspects of the invention, and for the particular purpose ,of spiking cap beams to submerged piles in the building of pipe line supporting structures, as hereinbeiore mentioned, the member fastening mechanism is in the form of spike driving mechanism carried by the portable frame and operated by power means, preferably air under pressure from a source at the surface of the water, a suitable exible pipe leading from the source of air pressure to the spike driving mechanism, and a suitable controlling valve being provided for the spike driving mechanism adapted to be operated by divers under the water on the positioning of the cap beam over the piles, to control the operation of the spike driving mechanism in the driving of the spikes into the piles.

In the specication to follow the invention will be described in detail, and the novel features thereof will be set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

(Cl. (il-63) Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View showing how the improved mechanism is lowered into the water from a loat or scow, to position the ternporarily attached beam in operative relation to the submerged piles, and showing the relation of the spike driving mechanism to the beam in driving the fastening spikes into place;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation on an enlarged scale of said mechanism lowered into the water, with a beam temporarily attached and positioned over the upper ends of two opposing piles, the spike at one end of the beam having been driven home to secure that end of the beam to the pile, and the spike at the opposite end of the beam being positioned in the beam ready to be driven into the pile by the other spike driving mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 2, with the float of Fig. 2 omitted;

Fig, 4 is an end elevation, on a reduced scale, of the parts shown in Fig. 2, as viewed from the right; and

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional elevation on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a submerged pipe-line supportingstructure 1 in course of construction under the water, the said structure consisting in the present instance of two opposed rows of piles 2, and cross or cap beams 3 bridging and fastened to the upper ends of each pair of opposing piles by means of spikes 4 extending downwardly through the ends of the cap beams and into the upper ends of the piles, the construction being such that the cross beams will aord conjointly an effective and solid lsupport for the pipe line 5, 9G made up of end to end connected pipe sections.

It is for the building of a pipe-line supportingstructure of this type, and in the fastening of the cross beams to the piles, that the mechanism of the present invention was especially designed, although the invention is applicable also to the fastening of other members to submerged parts for other purposes, and is not therefore tol be limited in this respect, except insofar as such 100 limitations are contained in the claims.

The improved mechanism constituting the present invention consists, in the form of the parts shown by way of example, of a portable frame 6, clamping devices 7 thereon for the temporary 105 attachment to the frame of one of the cap beams 3, andbeam fastening means in the form of spike driving mechanisms 8 carried by the portable frame in position thereon to act on the upper ends of the spikes 4 whenrthe cap beam is posi- 110 tioned over the upper ends of the piles, and to drive said spikes in the piles.

As best shown in Fig. l, this portable frame with the parts carried thereby, is adapted in the use of the mechanism, to be lowered into the Water (after having a cap beam 3 temporarily clamped to it) by means of a block and tackle suspended from the end of a derrick boom 9 supported on a ilcat or scow le, whereby the cap beam may be positioned over the upper ends of the submerged piles, and attached thereto by the operation of the spike driving mechanisms, after which the clamping devices being operated to release the fastened beam, the portable frame and connected parts are hoisted to the decir of the iioat for another and similar beam astenin operation. Y

in the lowering and hoisting of the portable frame and attached parts through the water, the weight of these parts is buoyed by a suitable water-tight tank or float ll, to reduce, as far as possible, the power required in handling the considerable weight of the frame and its connected clamps and spike driving mechanisms.

The portable frame 6 is in the present instance, in the form of two angle bars da, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, which bars extend side by side with their vertical ilanges adjacent and spaced from each other, and with their horizontal ilanges extending outwardly in opposite directions from each other at the top of the frame, the said angle bars being connected together at their ends by connecting bolts 6b extending through the verti cal anges and through spacing blocks 6C between said flanges.

The clamping devices 7, before alluded to, consist each of two vertical flat bars 7a connected nxedly together face to ace,with their upper endsex1 i tended between and fastened to the vertical flanges of the angle bars 6a. At their lower ends, the bars 'la are bent outwardly in opposite directions from each other as at 7b, and then bent downwaraly parallel tc each other as at 7C, thereby giving to the extremity of the bars a forked form, in which the cap beam is received in the temporary clamping of the same. The cap is releasably clamped within the fork by means or clamping screws Zd screwed through threaded holes in the parallel portions 7c of the fork, and adapted at 5G their inner ends to engage with the sides of the beam, the said screws being provided at their outer ends with hand cranks 7 for turning them.

It will be seen that there are provided two ci these clamping devices of the :form just described,

one .at each side of the center ci the portable frame, which devices depend from the frame, and when clamped at their lower ends to the cap beam, will support the same rigidly and firmly, but temporarily, in ixed position parallel with the portable frame.

The spike driving mechanisms 8, before alluded to, are carried by the portable frame at the outer sides respectively ci the clamping devices,

and as these spoke driving mechanisms are the 6e" saine in their construction and mode of operation, a detailed description of one will sumce.

Each mechanism comprises a vertical power cylinder 13, and a power piston 14 within the cylinder, said piston having a rod l5 extending through the lower end of the cylinder and terminating in a spike driving head i6. The piston is operated preferably by'air under pressure which may be supplied from an air compressor .1.7 on the 'lloat l0, and connected by suitable flexible air lines 18 with the respective power cylinders. Each cylinder is provided with a ccntrol valve 19, by which the supply of air to the cylinder is controlled, which valves are adapted to be operated by divers when the cap beam is lowered and positioned over the upper ends of the submerged piles, as will be presently more fully described, the mechanism of the power cylinder and piston being such that when the air is turned on, the piston will be recip cated bach and forth by the air, thereby imparting to the heads a series of spike driving blows.

The power cylinders are so mounted on the portable frame 6 as to be freely movable vertically relative thereto to a limited extent, in order to maintain driving relation ci the spike driving heads with the spikes as the latter are driven more deeply into the piles; and these cylinders are adjustable longitudinally along the 6 independently of each other, to adapt the mechanism for fastening beams to piles whose spacing may be different for different conditions and localities.

In the present instance, this mounting of the spike driving mechanisms on the portable frame is eilected by providing each power cylinder at its upper end with a vertical stern or rod 20 which extends upwardly through a tubular guide 2l extending upwardly from a base plate or foot 22 seated upon the horizontal ilanges of the angle bars portable trame, the said plate having on underside a tongue 22fL ex tending between vertical iianges oi the anale bars. As a result ci this construction and rangement oi the parts, the guiding tubes, and consequently the power cylinders carried thereby, are supported by the portable frame, and

be moved longitudinally along the frame independently of each other. rlhe guiding tubes are fastened in place on tl e frame according to the particular spacing desired between the spike driving mechanisms, by means of fastening bolts extending through the base plate or the guidn ing tubes and into holes 2d in the horizontal ilanges of the angle bars, the said flanges being formed with a series of such holes spaced apart in the length of the iianges; to admit of the adil ment of the tubes lengthwise ci the portable bar, to meet the different conditions encountered in respect to the spacing of the piles.V YThe Sterns on the power cylinders are confined in and prevented frorn escape from the guiding tubes, means 0:? stop pins 26 extending through the upper ends of the stems above theupper ends ci the tubes. i

The float ll for buoying the weight of the portable ranie and attached parts in the water, as before alluded'to, is attached to the portable frame by a loop in a line or cable 27, attached at its lower end to an eye 28 surrounding bolt 29 fixed to the portable trarne at its center, the shackle or the lower block of the hoisting tackle sing hooked to the said line where it passes around the upper side of the float.

In using the improved mechanism in fastening the cap beams one after the other to the submerged piles, the procedure is as follows;

With the portable frame and connected parts hoisted to the position shown in Fig. l, a cap beam 3 is set in place in the forked ends of the depending clamping devices 7, and the clamping `screws are turned up to engage the sides of the cap beam, and thereby firmlycla' ip the same to the portable frame.

The distance between the submerged piles being known, the cap beams are previously furlos lelie nished with holes to receive the spnres 4, which holes will be spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing of the opposed piles; and will be of such diameter, in relation to the diameter of the spikes, that the latter will be held frictionally in the holes, as shown in Fig. l, it being understood that before the cap beam is clamped to the portable frame, the spikes will be inserted in the holes therein.

In Fig. 1, it will be seen that with the spikes thus inserted in the cap beam, the hammer heads of the spike driving mechanisms will be positioned vertically over the spikes, and these mechanisms, which, it will be remembered are capable of free vertical movement relative to the portable frame to a limited extent, will be held up temporarily by cords surrounding the portable frame near its ends and transverse handles extending laterally from the upper ends of the power cylinders.

With the parts in this position, the portable frame with the cap beam temporarily clamped thereto, is lowered in the water to the submerged piles, and when the beam reaches the upper ends of the piles, a diver or divers operating at that point, will shift the suspended mechanism around until the beam seats on the upper ends of the two piles in the proper operative relation to be fastened thereto. When this is done, the two tie cords are released so as to release the power cylinders, and then the control valves of the power cylinders are operated so as to admit the actuating air pressure to the cylinders, and thereby the power pistons carrying the driving heads will be reciprocated back and forthand will result in the driving of the positioned spikes into the upper ends of the piles and the fastening of the beam securely thereto.

When the fastening operation is completed, the diver will out off air to the power cylinders by the actuation of the controlling valves, and wiil unscrew the clamping screws so as to release the portable frame from the fastened beam, whereupon the hoisting mechanism is operated to raise the apparatus to the surface, preparatory to the carrying out of another and similar operation in fastening the next beam to the next set of piles.

While in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings the invention has been set forth in the particular detailed form and construction of the parts, which in practice has been found to answer to a satisfactory degree the ends to be attained, it is understood that these details may .be variously changed and modified by the skilled mechanic without departing from the limits of the invention; and further, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular form or construction of the parts, except insofar as such limitations are specied in the claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In mechanism for fastening members to submerged parts, the combination of a portable f" frame, means thereon releasable at will for attaching a member temporarily to the frame, said frame being adapted to be lowered into the water to position the attached member in fastening relation to the submerged parts, a member fastening mechanism supported by the frame and operative on the positioning of the member, to fasten said member to said parts, and means for controlling the operation of said fastening mechanism.

2. In mechanism for fastening members to submerged parts, the combination of a portable frame, means thereon releasable at will for attaching a member temporarily to the frame, said frame being adapted to be lowered into the water to position the attached member in fastening relation to the submerged parts, a member fastening mechanism supported by the frame and operative on the positioning of the member, to fasten said member to said parts, means for controlling the operation of said fastening mechanism, and a float having connection with the frame to buoy the weight of the same and attached parts.

3. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the member fastening mechanism is freely movable as a whole vertically relative to the portable frame.

4. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the member fastening mechanism is operated by power means supported at the surface of the water, which power means is operatively connected with the member fastening mechanism by flexible power conducting means.

5. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means for controlling the operation of the member fastening mechanism is adapted to be operated beneath the water by divers.

6. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the member fastening mechanism is adjustable longitudinally of the portable frame.

'7. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the member fastening mechanism depends from the portable frame and is adjustable longitudinally thereof.

8. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that there are two member fastening mechanisms adjustable longitudinally on the portable frame, independently of each other.

9. The combination of elements set forth in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the member fastening mechanisms are freely movable 'as a whole vertically relative to the portable frame.

10. In mechanism for fastening members to submerged parts, the combination of a portable frame, means thereon releasable at will for attaching a member temporarily to the frame, said frame being adapted to be lowered into the water io position the attached member in fastening relation to the submerged parts, fastening-device driving mechanism supported by the frame in position to act on fastening devices to drive the same into the submerged parts in fastening the member thereto, power means for said fastening device driving mechanism having operative connection with the same, and means for controlling the actuation of said power means.

11. In mechanism for spiking cap beams to submerged piles, the combination of a portable frame, means thereon releasable at will for attaching a cap beam temporarily to the frame,

said frame being adapted to be lowered into the water to position the attached cap beam in operative relation to the submerged piles, aA spike driving mechanism supported by the frame in position toy act on spikes and drive the same into the piles in fastening the cap beam thereto', power means for said spike driving mechanism operatively connected with the same, and means for controlling the actuation of said power means.

12. In mechanism for spiking cap beams to submerged piles, the combination of a portable horizontal frame, two clamping devices fixed to and depending from the freine and engageable with a beam to attacn the same temporarily to tne frame horizontal fixed relation thereto, said frame and attached beam being adapted to be lowered into the water to position the beam in operative relation to the submerged piles, spike driving mechanisms supported by the frame at the outer sides respectively of the clamp-ing devices and in position to act on spikes carried by the beain over tile respective piles, power means for said spike dr'ving nieoiianisni supported at the surface of the water and `naving operative connection with the spike mechanisms, and controlling means for said power means.

13. ln mechanism for spiking cap beanie to submerged piles, tlie combination of a portable frame, means thereon reise-sable at will i at taching a beam temporarily to the frarne, said frame being adapted to `ce lowered into tlie water to position the cap beam in operative relation to tile submerged piles, a spike driving mechanism comprising a power oylin .er having an attached stem slidingly mounted in a guideway on frame to move freely to a limited extent vertically relaiive thereto, and a piston in id cylinder having a spike driviie tread tnereon, a source of fluid pressure supported at or near tlie Water level, flexible pipe connections benvcen said pressure source and said power cylinder, and a valve on said cylinder to control the admission oi pressure fluid to, and its exhaust from the cylinder.

14. The combination of elements set forth clairn l, characterized by the fact that there are two member fastening mechanisms longitudinally on tne portable frame, iiidependently of eacli other, and which mechanisms are freely movable as a whole vertically relative to the portable fran/ie.

l5. T'ne method of merged parts, which fastening inenioers to sr consists in attaching a member to portable fra-me carried by a lowering device, lowering tbe nleinber into fastening relation to submerged parts, fastening the nierni t. to the submerged parts by ineans associated vf the mernber and acted upon by means supported by tire portable irai-ne, releasing the lowering device from tire fastened rnernber, and raising ti e lowering device for a subsequent operation.

i6. The method of fasten' merged parte, which consists in temporar g members to sub" member with fastening means, temporarily atto ching tlie member to a lowering device includinlT a portable frame carrying means operable to secure the fastening means to the submerged parts, lowering the portable frame to position tbe inernber in fastening relation to the submerged parts, fastening the inernber'to the subn god pars by the operation of the means for securing tl e fastening means with which the member is provided, releasing the lowering device the fastened member, and raising the lowering device for a subsequent operation.V

The nie-tno of fastening members to subparts, which consists in forining a inemer witn lioles to receive spikes for fastening the einber to tire submerged parts, temporarily aadjustable into operative position to act t'ie spikes, lowering tile iraiL e to position fasteninI relation to the submerged. parts, operating the si ike driving means to lasten the fn-ber to the submerged parts by driving tne spikes into said parts, releasing the lowering device froin'tiie fastened member, andN r o -ie lowering device for a subsequent op tion.

method of fastening members to subin providing a with adapted to be driven into ged parte, temporarily attaching a reine, equpped with powenoperated pilre driving hammers carried by a lowering device to member, adiustingV the hammers driving position, lowering the frame and merged which consists member 4 the member in fastening relation to said ating the hammers to drive the spikes is to fasten the member thereto, releasing t'ne i1 anc-.e from tire rastene'i member, and raising tno fra-ine for a subsequent operation.

CHRISTAN B. CHRSTIANSEN. 

